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INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - MAY 16: Ronda Rousey forces Gina Carano into an armbar submission in their featherweight bout during the main card of Netflix's Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano at Intuit Dome on May 16, 2026 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images for Netflix) | Getty Images for Netflix

Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano was the first live MMA event to ever feature on Netflix.

It may also be the last for quite some time.

Jake Paul and Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) intended to disrupt the MMA world with their collaboration with the streaming giant, but Netflix has fallen on hard times. Its stock price has dropped almost 30% in the last six months, prompting layoffs and overall corporate restructuring. Unfortunately, MVP MMA may end up on the cutting room floor as a result.

Per combat sports insider Blake Avignon, Netflix is unlikely to host another MVP MMA event barring a main event like Francis Ngannou vs. Jon Jones, which is currently impossible due to “Bones” continued UFC contract. Without that level of a marquee main event to sell, Netflix is no longer interested.

Perhaps Jake Paul’s MMA debut would qualify? There aren’t many other options that could generate that kind of buzz.

This news does not mean that MVP will never hold another MMA event, as there are plenty of other streaming platforms and potential pay-per-view (PPV) options. It’s a definite blow to the promotion, however, as the Netflix partnership was a major advantage in helping MVP carve out space in the US MMA scene. It’s a little surprising as well, since the inaugural Rousey vs. Carano event produced such strong numbers.

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(Photo by Stuart Franklin - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images) | UEFA via Getty Images

Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany did not hold back his support and admiration for Harry Kane to win the Ballon d’Or, praising the forward’s selfless contribution and consistency over the years.

“Now that the voting is over, I don’t have to hide or be diplomatic. What made Harry happy the most in recent years is that he finally won his first team trophies here. Now if he can crown his career or his season with the Ballon d’Or, that would be deserved for the way he plays for the team,” said Kompany (as captured by @iMiaSanMia).

In Wednesday’s game against Arsenal in the Champions League, Kane was the linchpin for Bayern. Missing key players in Michael Olise and Joshua Kimmich, Bayern were in desperate need of a coordinator who could handle the physical pressure from the visitors.

Harry Kane stepped in by stepping back and began orchestrating the Bayern attack. Of Kane’s 19 accurate passes, 6 of them were into the opposition’s final third. That is how often Kane pulled back to collect and progress the ball into the attack. In comparison, Bayern’s starting midfielders had 7 passes each into the final third, while only Martin Ødegaard and left-back Riccardo Calafiori from Arsenal’s camp surpassed Kane in this stat.

Time and again, Kane has proven that he can become what his team needs him to be. A makeshift tackler, defensive midfielder, box-to-box central midfielder, or attacking midfielder whose passes can split the opposition and create chances—Harry has done it all over the last two seasons. At Bayern, the 33-year-old has hit a new peak in his footballing ability that deserves the highest recognition in the sport.

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Herb Dean Alex Pereira UFC Getty

UFC star Alex Pereira expressed sympathy towards MMA referee Herb Dean, who has been getting booed routinely by fans at UFC events.

Dean was heavily criticized by Pereira in the wake of his TKO loss to Ciryl Gane at UFC Freedom 250 in June, in a failed attempt to win the interim UFC heavyweight title. Since then, other fighters have spoken up about Dean’s inconsistent officiating, and now, when he is introduced as the ref at UFC events, the fans boo him.

Pereira feels bad.

Alex Pereira Feels Bad for Herb Dean

Speaking on “The Ariel Helwani Show,” Pereira admitted that he feels bad for Dean now.

“I see everything that’s going on, and sometimes I do feel bad because I know it’s his job, but when I spoke, I was just advocating because he’s the guy to be there who’s supposed to be protecting the fighters and avoid that something worse could happen to a fighter. I had to speak my mind. But yeah, I do feel bad for him sometimes, some certain ways,” Pereira said (via MMAjunkie.com).

Alex Pereira Doesn’t Want Herb Dean to Officiate His Fights

While Pereira does have sympathy for what Dean has been going through, getting booed by the fans so much lately, he doesn’t want the veteran referee to officiate any of his fights going forward.

“I don’t know how things role in the fight night, but if I can have a choice, I definitely don’t want him refereeing my fights no more,” Pereira said.

While the athletic commissions ultimately make the final call on which referees will officiate the fights, they will take into consideration when a certain fighter believes that there is an issue with a referee, so it’s possible that Dean won’t ref Pereira’s fights anymore since there was clearly an issue between the two.

Pereira, by the way, makes his long-awaited return to the Octagon at UFC 335 in December when he takes on Sergei Pavlovich in a heavyweight slugfest. If Pereira wins that fight, then he is expected to be the No. 1 contender and get a UFC heavyweight title shot.

This article was originally published on HEAVY

The post Herb Dean Receives Sympathy From UFC Star Alex Pereira appeared first on HEAVY.

Former Hibernian boss Shaun Maloney, 43, remains undecided whether football management is for him in the future and has denied suggestions he is currently pulling the strings at Celtic as Martin O'Neill's assistant. (Sun)

Celtic are continuing to monitor goalkeeper Balazs Toth after the 29-year-old Hungarian, with whom they were heavily linked in the summer, rejected offers of a new contract with Blackburn Rovers. (Football Insider)

Celta Vigo midfielder Ilaix Moriba has got the all clear to play in the Europa League against Celtic on Thursday, despite his house being raided and thousands of pounds of jewellery stolen. (National - subscription required)

Real Betis continue to monitor Rangers midfielder Nico Raskin as the January transfer window approaches but the Ibrox club have no intention of letting the Belgium 25-year-old go easily. (TeamTalk)

Former Scotland forward Don Hutchison regrets not joining Rangers when he had the chance when leaving Sunderland in 2001 and wonders if Bologna and Scotland midfielder Lewis Ferguson, 27, might do likewise. (National - subscription required)

Forward James Wilson is not unduly concerned about his Heart of Midlothian contract, with the 19-year-old striker in the final year of his current deal. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required)

• Thursday's English & European transfer rumours
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Manager Stephen Robinson takes responsibility for Tony Yogane's slow start at Aberdeen but feels the winger is now getting into dangerous positions. (Press and Journal - subscription required)

Forward Lachlan Rose's ankle injury has left Dundee United in a sweat over its seriousness but winger Mehdi Merghem could return at home to Aberdeen on Saturday. (Courier - subscription required)

Former Dundee and Dunfermline Athletic boss James McPake urges under-pressure managers Alfred Johansson, Craig McLeish and Marink Reedijk of Motherwell, St Mirren and Hibernian to "stick to your principles". (Sun)

Steven Pressley has revealed he came close to quitting as Dundee head coach several times last season. (Record - subscription required)

Dunfermline boss Neil Lennon questions whether there is enough mental health support for managers and feels criticism can be "way over the top". (Sun)

Scotland midfielder Scott McTominay reckons he is close to being back to his best, despite recently undergoing a procedure to correct irregular heart rhythms, after scoring twice in Napoli's 4-3 Champions League win over Bodo/Glimt. (National - subscription required)

India open their five-match T20I series in New Zealand on Thursday at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, seven months after beating the Black Caps by 96 runs in the T20 World Cup final.

Shreyas Iyer leads the side with Tilak Varma as his deputy, while Mitchell Santner captains the hosts. One name is still waiting for a chance.

Fans once again remain excited to know if 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will finally return to the fray for Team India. The left-hander last played for India in the Asian Games scoring 53 runs across two innings against Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

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He remained on the sidelines in the five-match series against West Indies. But with the New Zealand series once again offering five T20Is, he's got the chance to finally get another outing for team India.

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Will Vaibhav Sooryavanshi play today in the 1st T20I at Hagley Oval, Christchurch?

It looks unlikely, although the final XI will only be confirmed at the toss. The predicted teams for Christchurch again have Abhishek and Samson at the top, with Ishan Kishan, Iyer and Tilak Varma following in the middle order.

Iyer made the position clear before the series. "It's not like he can walk in right now, because our openers are scoring consistently, and they have won the World Cup," the India captain said.

He added that playing in these conditions will help Sooryavanshi in the future.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi score today in New Zealand vs India 1st T20I

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi didn't play today as Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma are set to open for India in the match.

MORE:Visit Cricket News for all the latest cricket coverage and opinion

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's score in last five T20Is

Sooryavanshi's most recent outing for India came in the Asian Games gold medal match against Pakistan, where he made 15. He has 246 runs in eight T20Is at an average of 30.75, with a highest score of 81 against Zimbabwe in July.

MatchOpponentDateRunsT20IPakistanOct 3, 202615T20ISri LankaOct 1, 202638T20IZimbabweJuly 26, 202681T20IZimbabweJuly 25, 202620T20IZimbabweJuly 23, 202650

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What to Know

• With less than ten days to go, the October 31 card featuring Canelo Álvarez vs. Christian Mbilli in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, is still scheduled to go ahead even as violent attacks continue and spread.
• Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority and President of the Saudi Boxing Federation, published next week’s Fight Week calendar.
• Trainer Robert Garcia said Wednesday he is worried about the safety of his fighter Lindolfo Delgado and his team, and has no travel arrangements in place yet.

With less than ten days before the last Riyadh Season card of the year, “Mexico vs the World,” scheduled for October 31 in Riyadh, most fighters and their teams would have traveled to Saudi Arabia to acclimate to the time zone and climate and prepare for their bouts.

But Riyadh Airport has been closed, and according to trainer Robert Garcia, who will work the corner of his welterweight challenger, Lindolfo Delgado of Mexico (24-0, 16 KOs), who will fight for the vacant IBF title against Arthur Biyarslanov (21-0, 17 KOs), a stablemate of Christian Mbilli, his travel plans are (pardon the pun) still up in the air.

Speaking on the subscription “Boxing Scene Today” show on Wednesday, Garcia said he believes the fight card will take place. But he is otherwise in the dark, a shocking development for a trainer whose fighter is expected to fight for his first world title in 10 days.

Canelo vs Mbilli Card Still ScheduledTurki Alalshikh of the Saudi General Entertainment Authority posted the Mexico vs the World Fight Week schedule on Wednesday.

Further cementing Garcia’s opinion is the social media accounts of Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, and RING Magazine. Both recently posted the full schedule of Fight Week Activities. It’s unclear who feels safe enough to move around and attend from a fan perspective. Fighters may appear in a closed venue and be streamed live worldwide.

All events are scheduled for 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT and will air on DAZN Boxing PPV. In addition, Alalshikh is still promoting online ticket sales, as recently as 12 hours before publication on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the U.S. ordered its embassy personnel to leave Saudi Arabia and directed all non-emergency government employees and their families to leave the country. There are murmurs about additional unconfirmed evacuations.

Safety Concerns Continue to Worry Fight Teams

“They’re already announcing the grand arrivals and all that all that nice information. But I still haven’t got no flights yet. I still have no flight information. They haven’t told me anything,” said Garcia.

Conde Nast Traveler magazine, among the most respected travel news sources, reports it is not considered safe to travel to Saudi Arabia in an article on Tuesday. After being closed for more than a week, the King Khalid Airport in Riyadh resumed operations on Sunday, October 18.

This does not mean a return to normal schedules. Flights must secure prior permission from Saudi aviation authorities to land or take off. Dozens of international routes are still suspended.

Attacks continue and are spreading. Saudi authorities have targeted attacks on airports in Abha, Jazan, Najran and Dammam, as well as Saudi Aramco oil facilities.

This is cause for concern even if teams make travel arrangements that avoid major Saudi airports.

“What I was told the last couple days was that we were flying to Dubai, (and) from Dubai to some small airport near where the fights are going to be and then drive like a four-hour drive to get there,” said Garcia.

Athletes and their teams work hard to minimize anything that could throw them off their preparations and focus. Worrying about travel arrangements and personal safety doesn’t set anyone up for success.

Robert Garcia: ‘Hell No!’Robert Garcia wraps the hands of Lindolfo Delgado for a training session at the Robert Garcia Boxing Academy. Photo: Top Rank Boxing

“Man, I don’t want to be in the documentary 25 years from now. You know, talking about all these brave fighters that went out there and coaches and managers and trainers that went out there and never came back. Hell no! I don’t want to. I don’t,” insisted Garcia.

Despite his concerns, he is still making plans to accompany Lindolfo Delgado to Riyadh with a championship on the line, one he’s worked for his entire career.

“As of now, my team, at least my team with Lindolfo Delgado, we’ve been waiting all weekend. We don’t have no flights. We don’t have no information. So honestly, I really don’t know what’s going to happen.

Garcia said the decision boils down to Canelo Alvarez. Alvarez has apparently stood firm, insisting the card will continue. Garcia said if the undercard fighters decide to bow out at the end, he believes Alvarez, and his two stablemates Jaime Munguia and Rafael Espinosa who are all trained by Eddy Reynoso, and their opponents will be all that’s needed to make the card happen.

“That’s all they need. That’s probably why they haven’t even told us about any flights or anything. We haven’t had no information.” Garcia will be in San Antonio this week to work the corner of his featherweight prospect Albert “Chop Chop” Gonzalez on the Navarrete vs Foster undercard, then make his way (in theory) to the Middle East.

“I’m going to San Antonio, but at least Lindolfo and the rest of my team should have already known they’re flying out the next couple days to be there, at least one week before. We can’t be sitting waiting and thinking, ‘oh yeah, we’re just waiting for that flight. They’ll send it to us.’ They would have already. They should have already. Honestly, I don’t know. We don’t have flights yet,” said Garcia.

How Serious Is The Threat? 

As I reported previously for NY Fights, the U.S. State Department and the governments of Canada and Mexico continues to warn citizens to avoid all non-essential travel to the region, including Saudi Arabia.

The fight card is currently scheduled to take place in Riyadh on October 31. DAZN Boxing will broadcast it live starting at 12 noon ET/9 a.m. PT with prelim fights

The U.S. State Department has active travel advisories in place for the Middle East, including a Level 3: Reconsider Travel advisory for Saudi Arabia, including conflict escalation, flight cancellations, and airspace closures.

A Level 3 alert is labeled “Reconsider Travel” and covers Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Jordan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Isreal, and the West Bank. Details here.

The State Department cites active threats from Iranian drone and missile targeting along with attacks and threats from Houthi rebels in Yemen directed at Saudi territory, infrastructure, and American interests. Falling debris from intercepted projectiles also poses a danger. This is not the highest alert level. Level 4 is “Do Not Travel.”

It’s far too late to move the card to another venue. It’s highly doubtful it will be postponed. Funding for cards in Riyadh is somewhat in doubt. October 31 is currently the last boxing card in Riyadh on the calendar.

The main card stars, including the three Mexican A-side fighters Alvarez, Munguia, and Espinoza, and their immediate corner teams will receive VIP travel and, if necessary, military protection to enter the country safely. They need their opponents, so it would be surprising if they didn’t get security escorts.

But the rest of the undercard, like Garcia’s fighter Lindolfo Delgado, may be on their own. It’s a tough call to turn down a title fight opportunity.

Canelo Alvarez says he’ll go through hell to get his WBC championship belt back. Photo: DAZN Boxing

On the Boxing Scene podcast, reporter Lance Pugmire said a member of the Alvarez team told him Canelo is determined to get his WBC belt back from Christian Mbilli. He also has to move forward with the fight to get paid.

“He wants to fight,” reported Pugmire. “He has told some people close to him, ‘I am willing to go to hell to get my belt back.’

“And someone responded back to Canelo. ‘I’ll see you in hell.’

Without a doubt, people are anxious, particularly if they don’t have a multi-million dollar payday on the line. But if Canelo Alvarez is going, he expects his team to join him if they want a job.  guys should as well.

Veteran journalist Dan Rafael also reported on Wednesday that the DAZN on-camera broadcast team working for DAZN Boxing will call the fight from London watching a video feed, and will not travel to Saudi Arabia. Sources also indicate domestic production personnel will produce the fight broadcast, and not U.S. or Europe-based production personnel.

Álvarez (63-3-2, 39 KOs), the former undisputed super middleweight champion, will be the challenger against WBC World Super Middleweight champion Christian Mbilli of Montreal (29-0-1, 24 KOs).

WBA World Super Middleweight champion Jaime Munguia of Tijuana (46-2-0, 35 KOs), will defend his title against unbeaten Russian Nikita Zon (12-0-1, 10 KOs). Zon will fight outside Russia for the first time as a professional.

WBO World Featherweight champion Rafael “Divino” Espinoza of Guadalajara (28-0, 24 KOs) takes on challenger Lorenzo Parra of Venezuela (24-1-1, 18 KOs), the division’s number-one contender.

Diomande outshines booed Vinícius as Mbappé leads Real Madrid past Leipzig 4-1

Real Madrid made it three wins from three in the Champions League as Kylian Mbappé scored and assisted in a 4-1 victory over RB Leipzig at the Bernabéu. Substitute Yan Diomande also scored and assisted against his old club, days before a Clásico that the banned Vinícius Júnior will miss.

Real Madrid kept their Champions League record perfect with victory over RB Leipzig on Wednesday night. José Mourinho’s side have won all three league-phase games. They beat Inter 2-1 at home on matchday one and came from behind to win 4-3 at Roma on matchday two.

Mbappé was the top-rated player on the night with 8.42. Yet the second half belonged just as much to Vinícius Júnior and the man who replaced him.

Bernardo Silva opened the scoring just before half-time, in the 43rd minute. It was his first goal since joining the club. Madrid led 1-0 at the break. Güler doubled the lead from Mbappé’s pass after the restart. It was a second successive match with a goal for Güler.

Diomande makes his mark against his old club

Diomande came on for Vinícius in the 70th minute. Some Bernabéu fans whistled the Brazilian as he left the pitch, OKDIARIO reported. The substitute then laid on Mbappé’s goal. Tidiam Gomis pulled one back for Leipzig in the 85th minute, assisted by Christoph Baumgartner. Diomande restored the three-goal margin two minutes later from a Brahim Díaz pass.

He left Leipzig in the summer in a deal that could be worth up to €140 million. His rating of 7.55 came from 20 minutes on the pitch.

Mourinho said the change showed the strength of his bench rather than unhappiness with Vinícius. He added that Diomande or Endrick could change the pace of the game.

The numbers backed Madrid’s control. They had 65% of the ball and 18 shots to Leipzig’s 11. Their expected goals reached 3.13 against 1.51. Thibaut Courtois still made five saves for a rating of 7.89. Leipzig have now lost two in a row, after a 1-6 defeat to Bayern München.

Vinícius ban opens the door before the Clásico

Vinícius cannot play at the Spotify Camp Nou on Sunday 25 October. He is serving his suspension after being sent off against Villarreal. LaLiga has scheduled the matchday-ten Clásico for 21:00.

Madrid head to Barcelona on a run of four straight wins in all competitions. That sequence includes victories over Villarreal, Roma and Sevilla. Their last defeat was 1-2 against Atlético Madrid.

The form of Diomande offers Mourinho one option in Vinícius’s absence. Leipzig return to the Bundesliga at home to SV Elversberg on Saturday 24 October.

Madrid’s next Champions League fixture is away to AEK Athens on Wednesday 4 November, kicking off at 18:45 CET.

Sources

• Stimmen zum Spiel Real Madrid vs. RB Leipzig am 21. Oktober 2026 (RB Leipzig)
• El Bernabéu despide a Vinicius con una tímida pitada tras otro partido para olvidar (OKDIARIO)
• Perfect record in the Champions League (Real Madrid CF)
• 2026/27 Champions League: All the league phase fixtures and results (UEFA)

Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Angel Reese’s confidence is overflowing in powerful message after Dream’s Game 3 win appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

ATLANTA – Sometimes, it’s just about who wants it more.

After letting Game 1 slip through their hands, the Atlanta Dream have responded in the best way possible, and it’s started with Angel Reese herself. In Game 2, her relentlessness and determination to will the team to a victory worked. Whatever high she was on from that game carried over to Atlanta, and it once again helped the Dream to a 97-71 win against the Golden State Valkyries to put them up 2-1 in the series.

At this point, it feels like the Dream go when Reese goes, and that’s no problem for her since she sees what it does for them.

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“No matter if my shots are falling, I just want to make sure I bring energy,” Reese said after the game. “I just want to be able to come in every day, pour into everybody, bring the energy, bring the morale, because I think it’s contagious. 

“When you have a mentality that, starting for me, I’m hyped all the time, and I bring the confidence to everyone, y’all not taking this from us. And that’s in my heart. I’m not letting you take this from us, and it becomes contagious within the team. They feel that confidence too. That’s kind of been my mindset throughout the entire season, just being able to want it more than anybody else.”

There’s no doubt that the Dream felt it, and it all started in the first quarter. As much as Reese set the tone, she had help from Naz Hillmon, who hit back-to-back 3-pointers in the first.

“I think our 3s were huge,” Hillmon said. “Very timely. But I think it also helped to open up our teammates. We’re knocking them down; you can’t continue to help into the paint, bring two to Angel, Rhyne [Howard] or Lish [Gray]. Definitely opened up things that we’ve been working on all year long, and it was nice to see them fall tonight.”

Though the Dream were up as much as 12 points in the second quarter, the Valkyries made their run. Janelle Salaün gave them a boost with 12 points, and they were able to outscore the Dream 25-23 in the quarter. Still, it was the home team that had the momentum and went into halftime with a six-point lead.

The second half was all Dream, and as every minute went by, it felt like the Valkyries were putting themselves into more of a deeper hole.

“We talk a lot about our second-half surge. We want to be the best third-quarter team coming out by halftime, because I think that takes their confidence and puts them away,” Reese said.

Whatever confidence the Valkyries had coming into the second half was taken away, as they only scored 17 and 14 points in the third and fourth quarters. Isobel Borlase came off the bench and gave the Dream some good minutes on both sides of the ball.

“She looks fearless, and I think it’s because she also knows we have her back and we’re pouring into her so much, but she just continues to trust her work. She puts in the work every single day,” Reese said. “She’s continued to step her defense up. You can’t iso her easily because she’s just there, and she’s solid.”

It wasn’t just Borlase, but everyone who touched the court made an impact in the second half.

“I’m really happy with this group,” Reese said. “Everybody contributed from top to bottom, just being able to be there and make shots at the right time. When you can shoot 49%, you win games.”

Reese has been the key factor in the past two games, whether that’s making a shot, getting a stop or hyping up her teammates. At times, she’ll turn her energy to the Valkyries and get into a back-and-forth with them. That’s the definition of wanting it more for Reese, and if Golden State can’t stop match that, it could be a long (or short) series for them.

“Angel shows up in every game,” Hillmon said. “Some people only show up in big games, but she’s consistent with that, and she brings her teammates along. I think that’s exactly what happened today from the beginning of the game. And then we even had a low in the 3rd quarter, and who was there getting a stop in transition? It was Angel.

“We definitely follow suit, but she definitely starts us off.”

Related: Angel Reese gives props to Dream crowd for showing up in Game 3 vs. Valkyries

Related: Dream star Angel Reese enters ultra-rare A’ja Wilson WNBA Finals club with absurd streak

Claude Makelele Moises Caicedo Chelsea - Getty/GOALMakelele starred for Mourinho's Blues

Back in 2003, when Roman Abramovich was financing an ambitious project in west London, France international Makelele was lured away from La Liga giants Real Madrid. He was considered to form part of the global elite.

The arrival of Jose Mourinho as Chelsea manager a year later revolutionised the Blues, with the ‘Special One’ assembling a squad that was virtually untouchable across his debut campaign. Just 15 goals were conceded in the 2004-05 Premier League season.

Makelele helped to deliver domestic dominance, with opposition attacks often being snuffed out before the likes of John Terry and Petr Cech were called into attack. The value of a match-altering No.6 has continued to grow since then.

In the present, Caicedo is charged with carrying out those duties in the English capital. He was acquired in 2023 as part of a £100 million ($134m) transfer agreement with Brighton. Injuries have held him back at times of late, but full fitness appears to have been recaptured.

Can Caicedo be compared with Makelele?Can Caicedo be compared with Makelele?

Many have been quick to suggest that the South American has reached Makelele-esque performance levels. Asked if he shares that opinion, former Blues midfielder Poyet - who was speaking in association with Gambling.com, the go-to source for casino sites - told GOAL: “Makelele, his trajectory, his career was incredible. I think he [Caicedo] needs to keep performing at this level for a few years to be able to compare.

“I think it's too early, but at the same time, he's so important for this team. It's unbelievable the difference between the first four or five games without Caicedo to the last two with Caicedo. And that shows how much they were missing him, especially in this system that he's trying to play Xabi [Alonso], to allow the three up front to go on and produce.

“I think also that with all respect to Caicedo, the help of [Jordan] Henderson next to him not too many people were expecting, also giving him the chance to be himself. So I think he's a key player this season for Chelsea and I really hope that he keeps himself fit.”

Kante another title winner at Stamford Bridge

Makelele is not the only formidable Frenchman to have helped Chelsea to the Premier League crown. In 2016-17, having already formed part of Leicester’s odd-busting title triumph, N’Golo Kante enhanced his reputation when excelling for Antonio Conte’s Blues.

Could Caicedo follow that trophy-winning trend, having already savoured Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup successes? Poyet added when that question was put to him: “I was there in the game against Bournemouth and when you see the fluidity of the team going forward, everybody wants to score and you need someone who, tactically, sometimes people don't see where he's standing, where he's looking, where he's pointing to, where he's covering, like reading the game.

“And those are the special players that you named. Makelele, because of his ability to be ahead of the game. N’Golo Kante, because I never see somebody running that much in my life. I have seen players running, but he covered the whole pitch.

“I think it shows that we still need that player, number six, proper, old-fashioned, staying in front of the back four in every single team in the world. That sometimes with this new mentality of passing, passing, passing and Barcelona style or [Pep] Guardiola style or Spanish style, we forget about that central midfielder.”

Chelsea continue to spend big on transfersChelsea continue to spend big on transfers

Caicedo’s value is not lost on anybody at Stamford Bridge, with the all-action 24-year-old - who has taken on captaincy duties in certain fixtures - becoming one of the first names on the team sheet.

Chelsea have continued to spend big on more pieces of a title-chasing puzzle that are being slotted together around their No.25, with the likes of Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers, Joao Pedro and Emi Martinez hoping to help the Blues back to the summit of English and European football.

Manchester United humiliated 4-1 by Como as Tielemans says “everything was missing”

Youri Tielemans admitted there were no positives to take from Manchester United's 4-1 Champions League defeat at Como.

Manchester United were thrashed by the tournament debutants on a disastrous night in Italy, with Nico Paz starring for the Serie A side with two goals and an assist.

The result continued a wretched run for Michael Carrick's team, who have lost two of their opening three games in Europe. Their poor form has now stretched to seven consecutive games without a win in all competitions, their longest run in over a decade, since an eight-match winless run between November and December 2015.

Tielemans said that 'everything was missing' during a disappointing night at Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia. The Belgian called on Manchester United to bounce back quickly, ahead of Sunday's visit from Bournemouth in the Premier League.

“We played very poor and conceded after two minutes and then it puts you on the back foot straight away," the midfielder said toMUTV.

“We want to be positive and go forward but this wasn’t the way.

“There was more said at half-time about us trying to get back into the game, but they score just after half-time, so it wasn’t a great atmosphere in the changing rooms.

“We need to move on as we have games coming. Everything was missing tonight. We were disjointed as a team, we didn’t play well together, our press was off and when we were on the ball, we could not make the right decisions, so you get frustrated with the game.

“They [Como] played around us too easily, it was a poor night.”

Carrick apologies to fans as Man Utd thrashed by Como

Michael Carrick added that the performance was 'nowhere near good enough' from his team and apologised to the supporters that had made the trip.

He insisted he cares about the club 'as much as anybody' as he battles to turn results around.

“It was nowhere near good enough in so many ways. We didn't deserve to get anything from the game. We actually started and had a chance with Diogo [Dalot] and created that, and then pretty much after that, we didn't do enough in the game. In terms of individually, collectively, we just weren't there.

"We wanted to build on Leeds and we did pretty much the complete opposite. So, I just apologise to the supporters. I went over at the end to apologise because they pay so much and they care so much. I care about this club as much as anybody. I found it hard watching that tonight, I have to say, so I feel for them tonight, especially.”

Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Travis Kelce has been listed as limited in practice by the Kansas City Chiefs after suffering an ankle injury during their win over the Los Angeles Chargers, raising a small concern ahead of their clash with the Seattle Seahawks.

The veteran tight end picked up the injury in the first quarter of the 22-6 victory but returned to finish the game with four catches for 53 yards.

Andy Reid had offered an encouraging update after the win, saying Kelce would be “OK”. However, his limited participation in practice suggests the Chiefs will need to monitor his condition.

Travis Kelce’s ankle injury creates concern for Kansas City Chiefs ahead of Seattle Seahawks game

Kelce was listed as limited in the Chiefs’ first practice report following the injury. While that does not necessarily mean he is in danger of missing the Seahawks game, it is a development worth watching as the week progresses.

Reid previously explained that the 37-year-old had “tweaked” his ankle and expected it to be sore the following day.

The fact that Kelce was able to return against the Chargers remains a positive sign for Kansas City. However, with the tight end still being restricted in practice several days later, the team will want to see how he responds before making any decisions about his availability.

Kelce is particularly important to the Chiefs given their growing injury problems at receiver.

Rashee Rice, who has missed the past two games with a hamstring injury, did not practice. Rookie Cyrus Allen, meanwhile, participated fully despite dealing with a knee issue.

Kansas City’s problems also extend to the offensive line, with starting tackles Josh Simmons and Jaylon Moore both missing practice.

Tyquan Thornton is another significant absence, with the receiver expected to miss most, if not all, of the remainder of the regular season after suffering a dislocated ankle in Week 3.

Losing Kelce as well would leave Patrick Mahomes with even fewer established options in the passing game against the reigning Super Bowl champions.

For now, there is no confirmation that Kelce will miss the game. His practice participation over the coming days should provide a clearer indication of whether the ankle injury is likely to affect his availability.

The Chiefs will be hoping their veteran tight end can return to full practice and avoid another setback as they prepare for a challenging test against Seattle.

Read more:

• Chargers in trouble over Travis Kelce incident as major NFL punishment looms
• Patrick Mahomes reveals the Chiefs win that still stands out above the rest
• ‘Humiliating’ – NFL’s Cincinnati Bengals’ treatment of Vice President JD Vance draws fan attention

Credit: Andy Lyons/Spencer Platt / POOL / AFP via Getty Images

Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow discussed Vice President JD Vance’s visit to the team’s practice on October 21.

Vance came to support the Bengals at practice before their game on Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens, as the Ohio native waited outside the team’s locker room to greet them after their session.

The video of Vance’s interaction showed most of the players walking past him without acknowledging him, although players such as star WR Ja’Marr Chase were seen interacting with him. But what about Joe Burrow?

Joe Burrow’s reaction to JD Vance’s appearance at Bengals practice

Burrow spoke to reporters about Vance’s attendance after practice, making it clear that he did not interact with Vice President Vance during his visit while giving a vague answer on what it meant to have the VP make a visit.

“We did not. He came with everybody and left with swiftness and efficiency before the end of practice, so I didn’t get to.”

“A lot of people around. That’s what I love about what I do is that it brings a lot of people together. And people want to take time out of their day to come and watch what we do, and watch what I do, and watch all the work that I put in to come and watch greatness. That’s everybody in the locker room; that’s why we do what we do. Whether it’s on TV, in-person, or on the practice field.”

Burrow was told about Vance’s attendance before practice by team owner Mike Brown, so he and the team were likely prepared to meet the VP. However, they can’t be faulted for not stopping for a word after a tiring practice in preparation for a big game on the weekend.

The Bengals are 3-2 this season and need to ensure they have a strong performance against the 4-2 Ravens to keep themselves among the Super Bowl contenders this season.

Burrow has thrown 135/189 on pass attempts this season for 1,361 yards, 11 touchdowns and three interceptions for a 104.4 passer rating and a 73.6 QB rating.

He has been among the top QBs in the NFL this season but has plenty of room to improve his output going forward to ensure the Bengals emerge as one of the premier contenders for the Super Bowl.

Read more:

• NFL sends blunt message to Mike Vrabel with hefty fine over officials incident
• Chargers in trouble over Travis Kelce incident as major NFL punishment looms
• Patrick Mahomes reveals the Chiefs win that still stands out above the rest

 (Augustas Cetkauskas / Getty Images / iStockphoto)

HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

SOUTHERN SECTION PLAYOFFS
WEDNESDAY’S RESULTS
First Round

DIVISION 1
Pool A
#1 Mater Dei d. #8 Harvard-Westlake, 25-13, 25-14, 25-22
#5 Santa Margarita d. #4 Oaks Christian, 25-21, 29-27, 24-26, 25-22

Pool B
#7 Marymount at #2 Sierra Canyon, postponed
#3 Mira Costa d. #6 Los Alamitos, 3-1

DIVISION 3
Sunny Hills d. Cerritos, 3-2
Santa Ana Foothill d. Oak Park, 20-25, 25-23, 25-17, 22-25, 15-10
Cerritos Valley Christian d. Chaminade, 16-25, 25-23, 25-20, 25-23
Beckman d. Alemany, 3-0
Newbury Park d. Corona Santiago, 26-24, 25-19, 18-25, 25-13
Redlands d. Rosary, 21-25, 25-22, 25-20, 25-16
Etiwanda d. Murrieta Mesa, 3-0
Thousand Oaks d. Saugus, 23-25, 21-25, 25-20, 25-14, 15-12
Corona del Mar d. Claremont, 3-0
Flintridge Prep d. Millikan, 25-17, 28-26, 25-20
St. Margaret’s d. Bishop Amat, 3-0
La Salle d. Huntington Beach, 3-1
Crescenta Valley d. Chaparral, 25-16, 22-25, 27-25, 25-21
La Canada d. Crossroads, 25-13, 25-15, 25-21
Lakewood St. Joseph at Marina
Windward d. Aliso Niguel, 3-0

DIVISION 5
Marlborough d. West Torrance, 3-0
Liberty d. Academy for Academic Excellence, 3-1
Hesperia Christian d. Peninsula, 3-0
Canyon Country Canyon d. Moorpark, 3-0
El Toro d. Troy, 3-0
Valencia d. Western Christian, 3-1
San Jacinto d. Culver City, 3-1
St. Anthony d. Santa Monica Pacifica Christian, 23-25, 25-9, 25-19, 25-21
Viewpoint d. Southlands Christian, 3-1
Westridge d. Arrowhead Christian, 3-1
Irvine d. Beaumont, 3-2
Paraclete d. Gahr, 21-25, 27-25, 25-21, 26-28, 15-13
Maranatha d. Sultana, 3-1
La Serna d. Burbank Providence, 3-1
Quartz Hill d. Temple City, 3-0
Capistrano Valley d. Palm Desert, 19-25, 25-16, 25-14, 25-9

DIVISION 7
Pasadena d. CAMS, 3-2
Tustin d. Immaculate Heart, 3-0
Laguna Blanca d. Brea Olinda, 3-0
Sacred Heart of Jesus d. Chino, 3-1
Placentia Valencia d. South Hills, 25-16, 25-17, 23-25, 25-20
Nordhoff d. Trinity Classical Academy, 3-0
Barstow d. Highland, 25-20, 25-16, 25-21
Webb d. Mary Star of the Sea, 3-0
Pasadena Marshall d. Eisenhower, 25-23, 25-19, 25-22
Beverly Hills d. Whittier, 3-0
Vistamar d. Rialto, 3-1
Northview at Calvary Baptist
Fullerton d. Indio, 3-0
Buckley d. Tahquitz, 3-0
Rio Hondo Prep d. Arlington, 20-25, 16-25, 25-23, 25-21, 16-14
Foothill Tech d. St. Genevieve, 3-2

DIVISION 9
Rancho Mirage d. Santa Paula, 3-0
Canoga Park AGBU d. Saddleback, 3-2
San Jacinto Valley Academy d. Cobalt, 3-0
St. Monica Academy d. Anaheim, 25-20, 27-25, 25-19
Nogales d. Carter, 3-2
Santa Rosa Academy d. Carpinteria, 3-0
Westminster d. Vasquez, 3-2
Azusa d. Moreno Valley, 3-2
St. Jeane de Lestonnac d. Santa Clarita Christian, 3-2
Jurupa Hills d. Sierra Vista, 3-2
Desert Christian Academy d. Victor Valley, 3-0
Wildwood d. Hillcrest, 3-2
Buena Park d. Excelsior Charter, 25-17, 22-25, 25-8, 25-10
Milken Community d. Eastside, 25-17, 22-25, 25-8, 25-10
California d. Garden Grove, 3-0
Twentynine Palms d. Shadow Hills, 3-2

DIVISION 11
Compton Early College d. Grove, 3-0
El Monte Arroyo d. Ambassador Christian, 3-0
Mesrobian d. Rubidoux, 3-2
Ramona d. Animo Leadership, 3-1
La Sierra Academy 3, Long Beach First Baptist 0
Pacific Lutheran d. Thacher, 3-0
Grace d. Shalhevet, 3-1
Newport Christian d. New Covenant, 3-0
Tarbut V’ Torah d. Oak Grove, 3-0
Workman d. California Lutheran, 3-2
Santa Clara d. EF Academy, 3-0
Lynwood d. Desert Chapel, 25-17, 25-9, 25-22
Norton Science Academy d. Newbury Park Adventist, 25-21, 25-22, 5-25, 25-22
Joshua Springs d. Liberty Christian, 3-0
Downey Calvary Chapel d. River Springs, 3-1
Silver Valley d. Riverside Bethel Christian, 3-0

THURSDAY’S SCHEDULE
(Matches at 6 p.m. unless noted)
Second Round

DIVISION 4
Portola at Burbank Burroughs
Yorba Linda at North Torrance
Notre Dame Academy at Arcadia
Vista Murrieta at Ventura
Ayala at Santa Barbara, 5 p.m.
Rancho Cucamonga at Hemet
Royal at Glendora
Bonita at Linfield Christian

DIVISION 6
Alta Loma at Villa Park
Temescal Canyon at Dos Pueblos
St. Bonaventure at Temecula Prep
Capistrano Valley Christian at Ridgecrest Burroughs
Castaic at Santa Fe
Rim of the World at Santa Ana Calvary Chapel
Mayfair at Schurr
Yucaipa at Lakewood

DIVISION 8
Samueli Academy at Bellflower
San Gabriel Academy vs. San Gorgonio at Indian Springs
Fairmont Prep at San Jacinto Valley
Burbank at Riverside Prep
Lighthouse Christian at Garden Grove Pacifica
Rio Mesa at Jurupa Valley
Big Bear vs. Geffen Academy at UCLA SAC gym, 5 p.m.
Bell Gardens at Artesia

DIVISION 10
Leuzinger at Glendale
Canyon Springs at Orange
Adelanto at Orange County Classical Academy, 4:30 p.m.
Chaffey vs. New Roads at Park Century School, 5 p.m.
La Quinta at Miller
Redlands Adventist at Loara
Ganesha at Lancaster
Cornerstone Christian

Note: Second round (Divisions 3, 5, 7, 9, 11) Sat., Oct. 24; Quarterfinals (Divisions 2, 4, 6, 8, 10) Tues., Oct. 27; Second Round pool play (Division 1) Tues., Oct. 27; Quarterfinals (Divisions 3, 5, 7, 9) Wed., Oct. 28; Semifinals (Divisions 2-11) Sat., Oct. 31; Third Round pool Play (Division 1) Sat., Oct. 31; Finals (all divisions) Sat., Nov. 7 at TBA.

Sign up for the L.A. Times SoCal high school sports newsletter to get scores, stories and a behind-the-scenes look at what makes prep sports so popular.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Defensive back Keaton Fields (Chandler, Arizona/ Hamilton High School) was officially honored as a 2027 Navy All-American during a virtual jersey presentation as part of the Road to the Dome tour.

Navy All-American Bowl

Defensive back Keaton Fields (Chandler, Arizona/ Hamilton High School) was officially honored as a 2027 Navy All-American during a virtual jersey presentation as part of the Road to the Dome tour.

Second to None

Welcome ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ @Keaton_Fields14 to the 2027 Navy All-American Bowl @NBCSports#NavyAAB@AmericasNavypic.twitter.com/5DavGbAvbn

— Navy All-American Bowl (@AABonNBC) October 22, 2026

Fields will play in the annual East vs. West matchup inside the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas at 1 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 9, 2027, live on NBC and Peacock, which marks the twenty-seventh anniversary of the event.

The nationwide Road to the Dome tour will honor 100 Navy All-Americans with live and virtual jersey presentations. The series will be released weekly through social platforms across NBC Sports.

Fields was selected by the Navy All-American Bowl Selection Committee, comprised of the All-American Bowl, Andrew Ivins (247Sports), Brandon Huffman (Rivals), and NXGN. Navy All-Americans are eligible for the Navy All-American Bowl Player of the Year Award, Anthony Muñoz Lineman of the Year Award, Navy All-American Bowl Defensive Player of the Year Award, Navy All-American Bowl Man of the Year, and Navy All-American Bowl Game MVP Award.

About the All-American Bowl

As an NBC Sports-owned property, the All-American Bowl is part of a marquee lineup of elite events that includes the Olympics and Paralympics, the NBA, WNBA, Major League Baseball, Notre Dame Football, the Premier League, and primetime’s #1 show for an unprecedented 15 consecutive years: Sunday Night Football. The All-American Bowl is annually the most-watched, most-talked about, and most-prestigious high school all-star event with more than four million unique television viewers and more than 25,000 fans in attendance. The history and tradition of the All-American Bowl is unparalleled, as it features: 665 draft picks; 110 Super Bowl champions; 300 Pro Bowl selections; and 18 Heisman finalists. For more information, visit nbcsports.com/college-football/navy-all-american-bowl or follow us on Facebook, X, and Instagram (@AABonNBC).

Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

The Los Angeles Lakers are now Luka Doncic’s team, and he is doing everything he can to get the fans to support them going into the new season.

LeBron James left the Los Angeles Lakers after eight seasons this summer, and it has changed LA’s landscape entirely. Luka Doncic, who has just entered his prime, is now the undisputed main man when it comes to the Purple and Gold.

As they say, with great power comes great responsibility. Doncic is aware of the burden he is now carrying on his shoulders. The Slovenian wants the fans on his side, and he is already making efforts to ensure that happens.

Luka Doncic takes out massive ‘championship run’ ad in LA Times,

The Lakers are one of the NBA’s most successful franchises. For fans, nothing short of the ultimate success is enough. The Slovenian star knows this, too. He took out a full-page advertisement in the LA Times on Wednesday addressing the fans.

“Dear LA, tonight we start our run for a championship,” it reads. “Every player dreams of holding that trophy. To do it for all of you amazing fans would mean everything to us. Each of us understands what it means to put on this purple and gold jersey and follow the players who wore it before us. It means so much because of the passion and dedication that generations of you all have shown for this team.

“I see it everywhere. The hats, the flags on cars, the murals. This city has people from all over the world, speaking every language, and the Lakers are the thing that brings everyone together. We have a special team. We know what you expect, and we are going to do everything in our power to deliver it. From the moment I arrived in LA, you welcomed me with open arms. That is something I will never forget.

“So here is my promise to you: we are going to give you everything we have, every single night. No excuses. No nights off. But we cannot do this alone. You are the best fans in the world, and we are going to need you. Every game, bring it with us. Let’s go.”

Just words aren’t enough, so Doncic even lets Lakers fans know how much he appreciates them through his actions.

Luka Doncic arranged free parking for Lakers fans attending Golden State Warriors clash

It is common knowledge that one of the most expensive things about going to catch a game at the Crypto.com Arena is parking. Doncic, a lover of cars and a man of the people, decided to help his fans out with that as a gesture of goodwill.

“According to the Lakers’ communications department, Doncic arranged free parking for fans at a lot near Crypto.com Arena and partnered with Metro Bike Share to offer complimentary rides throughout Los Angeles,” the New York Post reported.

Doncic backed up these gestures on the court as well. In a blowout win over the Golden State Warriors on opening night, Luka had 28 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, and three steals.

All things considered, he seems prepared to take up the mantle of being the next Lakers superstar. If he can actually deliver a championship this season, this will go down in history as one of the gutsiest and epic moves by a superstar.

Read more:

• Charles Barkley takes a ‘dangerous’ Kash Patel dig at Shaquille O’Neal
• ‘Don’t do it rook’ – Warriors rookie’s heated exchange with Luka Doncic has fans buzzing after backfiring
• Shaquille O’Neal says another name must be mentioned in GOAT debates along with MJ, Kobe and LeBron

Former Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has praised Kimi Antonelli's performances in the 2026 F1 season, claiming the Italian has completely outclassed his Mercedes teammate George Russell. With a lead of more than 100 points in the Drivers' Championship, Antonelli is now closing in on his first world title, which he could secure as early as this weekend's United States Grand Prix.

The Mercedes youngster has enjoyed a remarkable second season in Formula 1, taking a series of victories during the opening part of the championship and establishing himself as the driver to beat. Russell, who began the year with victory in Australia, has been unable to match his teammate's results over the course of the campaign.

Marko believes Antonelli has outclassed Russell

Speaking to Austrian outlet oe24, Marko expressed his admiration for Antonelli, particularly the way he combines his speed with a more consistent approach than he showed during his rookie season.

"It's wonderful to see how this young lad makes the car fly and the joy with which he celebrates his successes," Marko said.

"He's incredibly fast, and if winning isn't possible, he aims for a good result. Last year, he wasn't as consistent and made several mistakes. This year, however, he's overshadowed Russell. He's outclassed him."

Marko's comments come after a season in which Antonelli has steadily increased his advantage over his teammate. The Italian won four consecutive races early in the year and continued to build his championship lead, despite occasional setbacks.

Photo: Race Pictures

Photo: Race Pictures

Russell has also experienced difficult moments, including reliability problems that cost him valuable points. His retirement from the Canadian Grand Prix was particularly costly, allowing Antonelli to extend his advantage to 43 points at that stage of the season.

By September, the gap had grown considerably. Antonelli's victory at Monza, where he recovered from 19th on the grid, left Russell 66 points behind despite the Briton finishing second.

Russell himself acknowledged the situation after the Italian Grand Prix, admitting that Antonelli deserved to be leading the championship. The Mercedes driver explained that his focus was now on winning individual races rather than worrying about the points deficit.

"Definitely Kimi’s in control of it an. He’s deserving to be in control of it. For me personally, I’m not even thinking about a fight or a comeback or anything. I’m just focused on taking it race by race and trying to maximise every single weekend."

When can Antonelli become F1 world champion?

Antonelli's third-place finish at the Singapore Grand Prix increased his championship advantage over Russell to 102 points, putting him within reach of securing the title at the United States Grand Prix in Austin.

However, the exact scenario depends on the final composition of the 2026 calendar, with the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix having been subject to uncertainty because of the situation in the Middle East.

If both races remain on the calendar as planned, Antonelli would need three results to go his way to become world champion in Austin: he must win the Grand Prix, Russell must finish ninth or lower, and Lewis Hamilton must finish no higher than fifth.

The situation would be considerably different if Qatar and Abu Dhabi were cancelled and replaced by a single race at Imola, leaving five Grands Prix on the calendar after Austin.

Under that scenario, Antonelli would only need to avoid losing more than two points to Russell, 11 to Hamilton and 19 to Max Verstappen to secure the championship mathematically.

A victory would therefore guarantee him the title, while finishing second or third ahead of Russell would also be enough. Even a lower points finish could see the Mercedes driver crowned champion, depending on the results of his closest rivals. For Antonelli, the title would also end a long wait for Italian motorsport. No Italian driver has won the F1 Drivers' championship since Alberto Ascari in 1953.

Warriors’ Steve Kerr reveals how close Golden State was to landing LeBron James originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Offseason reports indicated the Golden State Warriors were a legitimate suitor to land LeBron James, who decided to leave the Los Angeles Lakers and sign with the Philadelphia 76ers. 

Landing a player of James' caliber would have helped the Warriors a ton, for many reasons. The Warriors not only need more talent on both ends of the floor, but bringing in a guy like James also attracts other free agents. 

It would have let the Warriors make other cheaper moves, help sell jerseys and make money, and ultimately give them a better chance of winning a championship than they have now.

While James might not be the player he once was, given his age, there's still a feeling he can help a championship-caliber team. Pairing him with Stephen Curry would have been must-see TV, though Steve Kerr recently said landing James wasn't as close as some of the media made it out to be.

“It never went wrong,” Kerr said, per the Ringer. 

“We were never really that close. Steph and Dray obviously are friends with him, so they were doing the recruiting. I know LeBron now pretty well from the Olympics, and so I reached out to him during free agency and he’s always really good about responding to texts. He’s one of the guys who you text, you get a response. I just said, ‘Hey, if we have something to chat about, let me know.’ And I never heard back. And I wasn’t offended at all.”

When James became available, people assumed he might be interested in playing in Golden State, given his relationship with Curry, Draymond Green, and Kerr. 

However, it was important to recognize that the likelihood of him going there was low because of the battles he had with the organization early in his career.

More NBA news:

• Warriors get positive Jimmy Butler injury news from Steve Kerr on Opening Night
• Draymond Green hints at retirement heading into 15th NBA season
• NBA insider Shams Charania throws doubt at 76ers and Joel Embiid after recent comments
• Karl-Anthony Towns unlikely to be traded, despite contract problems
• Warriors have perfect Karl-Anthony Towns trade to make if Knicks keep messing around

Minnesota's Anthony Edwards reacts during the Timberwolves' NBA victory over the Miami Heat (Carmen Mandato)

Luka Doncic scored 28 points and Walker Kessler delivered a spectacular 26 as the Los Angeles Lakers launched life after LeBron James with an emphatic 127-105 NBA victory over the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday.

Doncic, dubbed the future of the franchise when he arrived from Dallas in February 2025, starts the season as the undisputed leader of the team after superstar James's move to Philadelphia as a free agent in July.

The 27-year-old Slovenian delivered a mission statement in a full-page advertisement in the Los Angeles Times on Wednesday -- telling fans "Tonight we start our run for a championship."

He followed up with an exuberant display against a Warriors team led by 23 points from veteran Stephen Curry.

He answered some chirping from Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg with a halfcourt three-pointer at the first-half buzzer, just one highlight on a night that saw the Lakers lead by as many as 35.

"It was just how everybody played," Doncic said. "I think first quarter our defense wasn't that good, but then after that we just locked in and I think everybody had fun."

Kessler, acquired from Utah in July, made a historic Lakers debut, going a perfect 12 for 12 from the floor with 10 dunks.

"What he did today was unbelievable for us," Doncic said.

The second night of the new season featured an array of familiar faces in new places.

Minnesota star Anthony Edwards erupted for 45 points as the Timberwolves spoiled two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Giannis Antetokounmpo's Heat debut with a 131-106 triumph in Miami.

Edwards joined Hall of Famers Wilt Chamberlain and Michael Jordan as the only players with multiple 40-point season openers.

He teamed seamlessly with new arrival LaMelo Ball, added 10 rebounds and three assists. He had nine of the Timberwolves' 21 three-pointers while Ball, who joined from Charlotte this season, drilled five treys on the way to 21 points.

"At this point, me and him are gonna be like best friends," Edwards said before exchanging a beaming hug with Ball.

Antetokounmpo, the former Bucks talisman who captured one championship and two Most Valuable Player awards in his 13-year tenure in Milwaukee, looked the part, connecting on 13 of 19 attempts from the floor on the way to 35 points with six rebounds.

But the Heat as a whole -- widely tipped as Eastern Conference contenders after landing Antetokounmpo -- had no answer for the Timberwolves.

In Washington, Anthony Davis made his Wizards debut nine months after he was acquired from Dallas in a blockbuster trade and spearheaded a 128-118 victory over the Bucks.

Now recovered from hand and groin injuries, Davis scored 34 points and pulled down 12 rebounds drawing chants of "MVP!" from Wizards fans who suffered through the team's league-worst 17-65 campaign last season and saw top draft pick AJ Dybantsa suffer an ankle injury in the team's pre-season finale.

Trae Young added 20 points and 13 assists in the Wizards' first season-opening win since 2022.

It was back to the future in Toronto, where the Raptors welcomed the return of Kawhi Leonard with a 135-92 blowout of the Chicago Bulls.

Leonard, who led Raptors to their first title in 2019, is back after a trade from the LA Clippers -- a deal delayed by a league probe that found the Clippers and Leonard violated salary-cap circumvention rules, leading to stiff sanctions for the club.

Leonard, Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley scored 23 points each for the Raptors, who led by as many as 48 points in the wire-to-wire triumph.

- Haliburton return -

Indiana guard Tyrese Haliburton, playing his first game since he tore his right Achilles tendon in game seven of the 2025 NBA Finals, scored 13 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter and added 12 assists as the Pacers edged the Pelicans 123-120 in New Orleans.

Haliburton, who put the Pacers ahead for good with a driving basket with 1:23 to play, was overcome with emotion in an on-court postgame interview.

"It means a lot to be back out here," he said, wiping away tears.

Dallas guard Kyrie Irving, playing his first game in more than 19 months after recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament, scored 15 points for the Mavericks in a 128-110 loss to the Houston Rockets.

bb/rcw

‘Doesn’t Play Situational Football,’ ‘Gets His Team in Trouble’ — 4-Time Pro Bowler Boldly Claims 49ers HC Kyle Shanahan Will Never Win a Super Bowl

Leading the San Francisco 49ers to the NFL’s best record at 6-0, Kyle Shanahan has made a strong case as one of the league’s top head coaches. His offensive schemes are also widely mimicked by other coaches and playcallers.

Shanahan has an impressive 88-67 regular-season record, a 56.8% winning percentage, and a 9-5 playoff record.

However, despite leading the 49ers to two Super Bowl appearances, Shanahan has yet to win a championship. And according to one former Pro Bowler, he never will.

Roddy White Predicts Kyle Shanahan Will Never Win a Super Bowl

Before becoming the 49ers’ head coach, Shanahan coordinated the Atlanta Falcons’ offense, including during their 2016 Super Bowl run, which ended in a loss to the New England Patriots.

Roddy White played under Shanahan in Atlanta in 2015. Now, the four-time Pro Bowler and First-Team All-Pro is making a bold prediction about his former offensive coordinator, saying he will never win a Super Bowl.

During an appearance on the “Up and Adams Show,” host Kay Adams directly asked White, “Do you think Kyle (Shanahan) will win a Super Bowl?”

After a long pause, White gave his honest take, even as Adams reminded him that the 49ers were undefeated and Shanahan had already reached the Super Bowl.

“No,” White said. “They start like this every year. That team starts very fast every year. The only time they haven’t started fast is when they had everybody hurt. And this year, they’re still managing to get people hurt, but they’re off to a good start.”

The 49ers have not always started quickly under Shanahan; they were 1-5 through six games in 2018 and 2-4 at the same point in 2021.

“I think, me personally, that he’s a great offensive mind. But in tough situations, in pressure situations, the over-aggressive play calls always give you trouble, and I think that’s just his mentality.”

PREDICT THE NFL SEASON:PFN’s Free NFL Playoff Predictor

White then pointed to Shanahan’s biggest flaw as a play-caller: his struggles with situational football.

“He doesn’t play situational football well,” White explained. “That’s the only thing that I think is really like a knock on his game… That’s what gets his team in trouble when you play against great quarterbacks.”

“When you make it to the Super Bowl, you’re gonna be playing against a great quarterback. Your ability to understand the flow of the game, it’s going to help you win those games.”

While Shanahan can’t control which opponent he faces or which quarterback lines up against him, he can control his play-calling. White believes the 49ers coach needs to rethink his approach, particularly in high-pressure situations.

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“I think especially if you have to play Patrick Mahomes in the Super Bowl. That guy has learned from Tom Brady. Just playing him, each and every year, playing him in the Super Bowls, he knows what it takes,” White continued.

“Mahomes can read what’s going on. He knows how to handle those situations, and he always comes out as a winner because he doesn’t give himself an opportunity to lose the game. And I think that Kyle always thinks about, ‘I have to win the game,’ instead of putting his players in the best position to win the game.”

The 49ers are ranked third in PFN’s Offense Impact Score with an 82.4 grade, with quarterback Brock Purdy ranking first in PFN’s QB Impact Score with a 90.8 grade through six weeks.

That’s a pretty harsh take from White on his former offensive coordinator. Still, the issues he pointed out are ones Shanahan could work on if they are really getting in the way of his Super Bowl dreams.

This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.

Punter Nolan Balke (Queen Creek, Arizona/ Casteel High School) was officially honored as a 2027 Navy All-American during a virtual jersey presentation as part of the Road to the Dome tour.

Navy All-American Bowl

Punter Nolan Balke (Queen Creek, Arizona/ Casteel High School) was officially honored as a 2027 Navy All-American during a virtual jersey presentation as part of the Road to the Dome tour.

Desert Dawg

Welcome @NolanBalke27 to the 2027 Navy All-American Bowl @NBCSports#PurpleReign ☔️ #NavyAAB@AmericasNavypic.twitter.com/r0K6L65i3m

— Navy All-American Bowl (@AABonNBC) October 22, 2026

Balke will play in the annual East vs. West matchup inside the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas at 1 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 9, 2027, live on NBC and Peacock, which marks the twenty-seventh anniversary of the event.

The nationwide Road to the Dome tour will honor 100 Navy All-Americans with live and virtual jersey presentations. The series will be released weekly through social platforms across NBC Sports.

Balke was selected by the Navy All-American Bowl Selection Committee, comprised of the All-American Bowl, Andrew Ivins (247Sports), Brandon Huffman (Rivals), and NXGN. Navy All-Americans are eligible for the Navy All-American Bowl Player of the Year Award, Anthony Muñoz Lineman of the Year Award, Navy All-American Bowl Defensive Player of the Year Award, Navy All-American Bowl Man of the Year, and Navy All-American Bowl Game MVP Award.

About the All-American Bowl

As an NBC Sports-owned property, the All-American Bowl is part of a marquee lineup of elite events that includes the Olympics and Paralympics, the NBA, WNBA, Major League Baseball, Notre Dame Football, the Premier League, and primetime’s #1 show for an unprecedented 15 consecutive years: Sunday Night Football. The All-American Bowl is annually the most-watched, most-talked about, and most-prestigious high school all-star event with more than four million unique television viewers and more than 25,000 fans in attendance. The history and tradition of the All-American Bowl is unparalleled, as it features: 665 draft picks; 110 Super Bowl champions; 300 Pro Bowl selections; and 18 Heisman finalists. For more information, visit nbcsports.com/college-football/navy-all-american-bowl or follow us on Facebook, X, and Instagram (@AABonNBC).